Kael'thar slowly straightened his posture in the air.
For the first time, his expression changed—not fear, not anger, but something close to acknowledgment.
> "Hmm…"
He looked at Leo, his sharp, vertical eyes narrowing slightly.
> "That punch… was dangerous."
"If I had lowered my guard even a little…"
"Your strike could have torn my body apart."
The wind began to move again.
The mountains breathed.
Leo stood still, chest rising heavily.
Kael'thar floated a few steps back.
> "I did not come here to kill you."
"I came to test you."
He turned his gaze toward the sky.
> "To see how far you've grown."
"To see whether you are worthy…"
His eyes returned to Leo.
> "…of becoming a Multiverse King."
Chen Wei stiffened.
Leo said nothing.
Kael'thar nodded once.
> "Now I know."
A faint distortion formed behind him, space folding like glass under pressure.
> "You are worthy."
Leo's eyes widened slightly.
Kael'thar continued, his voice low and serious.
> "But understand this."
"From this moment on, the Multiverse Demon King may come for you himself."
"I have no allies among them."
He paused.
> "In fact… I want you to rule."
The mountains echoed softly.
> "You are someone who can change things."
"Someone who still remembers pain, family, and love."
The distortion expanded.
> "That is why I will leave."
And with a single step—
Kael'thar vanished, shooting through the sky and disappearing into outer space.
Far beyond the planet, drifting among stars, his voice echoed quietly into the void.
> "I hope you become king…"
"The former Multiverse Light Kings were slain by the Demon King."
"Now he sits on the throne."
Silence followed.
---
Leo dropped to one knee.
Chen Wei rushed to him.
> "Leo—are you okay?!"
Leo exhaled slowly.
> "Yeah…"
"I'm fine."
He forced a small smile.
> "Just some internal damage."
"Nothing serious."
Chen Wei frowned.
> "You idiot…"
Leo looked ahead.
> "I'll be fully healed before I face Kaito Jin."
"Five days. That's enough."
---
That night, inside a quiet hotel room—
Chen Wei hesitated before handing Leo a device.
> "This… came earlier."
Leo looked at the screen.
A video message.
From Lily.
The moment her voice played, Leo froze.
Her voice was weak… but gentle.
> "Leo…"
"If you're hearing this…"
"I might already be in a coma."
Leo's fingers trembled.
> "If that happens, it means you've already gone to take revenge."
"Please…"
Her breathing sounded uneven.
> "Please don't lose yourself."
"I saw the pain in his eyes."
"I felt his suffering."
Tears slid down Leo's face.
> "By the time you hear this…"
"Christmas might already be here."
She paused.
> "I'm sorry I couldn't stay with you."
"But I'll sing for you… even if I'm not there."
Then—
She began to sing.
Lily's Song
> "If the night feels endless,
And the stars fall apart,
Remember my heartbeat,
It's still calling your heart.
Even if I'm sleeping,
Beyond your sight,
Our child is dreaming,
Of your light.
So don't break yourself,
Don't drown in the pain,
Come back alive,
Come back the same.
Merry Christmas, Leo…
I'll be waiting."
The video ended.
Silence filled the room.
Leo covered his face.
Tears fell freely.
> "You knew…"
"You calculated everything…"
His voice broke.
> "I'm sorry…"
He clenched his fist.
> "Wait for me."
The screen went dark.
And with that—
The chapter ended.